Excore GX 2020---Still no headway with text-reading...really, Buick? Still no Bluetooth Android Auto? In 2021?

[cz9h3d]

Her biggest complaint about the car is the four seconds it takes to plug the phone into USB. There are also several free text-reading apps in the App Store.

If plugging in is an issue, then paying $15/month to connect the car and use the radio apps may be the answer. You don't need any special apps to read texts via Android Auto.

 

[2007LucerneCXL]

As the OP hasn't been back since Apr 30, 2021, it's a moot point as she has specific application for how she used her phone and the older Encore system seemed to be the only way. Horse is dead.

 

[DocBrown]

#1) IMO, Android Auto (and Apple CarPlay) are superior to any built-in BT connected options or built-in apps. It will totally alert and read your texts (and allow you to respond via voice). It will play Spotify (allow you to select playlists, songs, etc.) AND by plugging in, your phone will be charging (faster than your mat). It gets and keeps the phone out of your hand and gives superior integration.

So as a former engineer, can you explain to those of use who do not have unlimited data how this will work? We share a 1 gb plan. We are on WiFi 90% of the time and don't need to pay for unlimited data. For the time being my wife's 2016 Encore, and my 2016 Silverado work great because they still have the Text app. The only other thing I use to play .mp3s on my phone via WiFi. To have to get an unlimited data plan for my phone in a newer model vehicle just to get text notification and read back is ludicrous. GM took something away in newer models to save a few bucks in paying a developer.

 

[agaric]

Android Auto/ CarPlay don't require a car data plan to be used.
Complaining about no wireless AA/CP means a lack of research since that is still rare even in much higher end cars than Buicks but is finally making it to cheaper cars.
My 17 will read texts and send a canned response without AA but needs the cable to enable 2 way texting (by voice) and app use.

 

[BookishB]

Hi! First off, my car is a lease, so just buying another Encore isn't really an option. 🙂

I plug in my phone, Select Android Auto on both car and phone. Wait. Nothing. Maybe it connects in the AM, but it won't connect at lunchtime without powering off my phone and the car, and even then ... many times, it's a no go. It's just the randomness of WHEN it's going to work. I actually cheer when it connects! My phone is newer, so that's not it. Or it will show the podcast I was listening to in the AM on Spotify, but when I change it on my phone to a different podcast, it will not update on the screen, unless I restart everything.

I just don't get why the 2021 GX has AA over BlueTooth, when this model clearly HAS BT, and doesn't?

Pop into my 2014 Camaro, and everything connects. Picks up where I left off. But in the new car, it's a hassle.

 

[BookishB]

Android Auto/ CarPlay don't require a car data plan to be used.
Complaining about no wireless AA/CP means a lack of research since that is still rare even in much higher end cars than Buicks but is finally making it to cheaper cars.

As the OP hasn't been back since Apr 30, 2021, it's a moot point as she has specific application for how she used her phone and the older Encore system seemed to be the only way. Horse is dead.

Still very much alive, this "horse" is. Still having the same issues.

 

[mitchflorida]

Hi! First off, my car is a lease, so just buying another Encore isn't really an option. 🙂

I plug in my phone, Select Android Auto on both car and phone. Wait. Nothing. Maybe it connects in the AM, but it won't connect at lunchtime without powering off my phone and the car, and even then ... many times, it's a no go. It's just the randomness of WHEN it's going to work. I actually cheer when it connects! My phone is newer, so that's not it. Or it will show the podcast I was listening to in the AM on Spotify, but when I change it on my phone to a different podcast, it will not update on the screen, unless I restart everything.

I just don't get why the 2021 GX has AA over BlueTooth, when this model clearly HAS BT, and doesn't?

Pop into my 2014 Camaro, and everything connects. Picks up where I left off. But in the new car, it's a hassle.

My suggestion is you get a tech-savvy friend or family member to show you how AA works. There are some tricks with AA, you can't plug the phone in with the Screensaver on, for example.

 

[Outtolearn88]

My suggestion is you get a tech-savvy friend or family member to show you how AA works. There are some tricks with AA, you can't plug the phone in with the Screensaver on, for example.

I don't understand what you are saying about screensaver on plugin and Android Auto not working ?? I always plugin while my cellphone is on and stand by black screen, when the connection is made the Android screen comes on.

Can you please expand your explanations, would really appreciate as to understand your logic.

Thanks for sharing the information.

 

[mitchflorida]

I don't understand what you are saying about screensaver on plugin and Android Auto not working ?? I always plugin while my cellphone is on and stand by black screen, when the connection is made the Android screen comes on.

Can you please expand your explanations, would really appreciate as to understand your logic.

Thanks for sharing the information.

Yours may work like that. Mine doesn't with the lockscreen showing.
Have a pleasant night.

 

[cz9h3d]

So I've been out of GM for a few years - but talked to some friends. Yes, the built-in text reading app is gone. Not ideal for the OP's use case, but indicative of klugy and limited OEM apps not keeping up with Android Auto or CarPlay. And assuming the GM/Buick app store having some sort of text reading app replacement (I couldn't confirm this), one does need to pay the $15/month to connect the car to data to make use of the apps. I totally understand the OP's want/use case.

 

[BookishB]

So I've been out of GM for a few years - but talked to some friends. Yes, the built-in text reading app is gone. Not ideal for the OP's use case, but indicative of klugy and limited OEM apps not keeping up with Android Auto or CarPlay. And assuming the GM/Buick app store having some sort of text reading app replacement (I couldn't confirm this), one does need to pay the $15/month to connect the car to data to make use of the apps. I totally understand the OP's want/use case.

Thanks. I've accepted it's a COULD BE WORSE situation, but it's enough to sour us on GM's. Next SUV will be NOT be GM.

 

[BookishB]

My suggestion is you get a tech-savvy friend or family member to show you how AA works. There are some tricks with AA, you can't plug the phone in with the Screensaver on, for example.

Tech-savvy DESCRIBES my kids. Computer programmer and a military cyber-analyst ... and they both say THIS SUCKS, MUM.

 

[cz9h3d]

Thanks. I've accepted it's a COULD BE WORSE situation, but it's enough to sour us on GM's. Next SUV will be NOT be GM.

I understand, but it's sort of like saying you won't buy a car without a CD player. OEM's are abandoning older, less-used technology that have newer/better replacements that customers demand. If customers had used that built-in text app, it would still be here.

 

[DocBrown]

I understand, but it's sort of like saying you won't buy a car without a CD player. OEM's are abandoning older, less-used technology that have newer/better replacements that customers demand. If customers had used that built-in text app, it would still be here.

The issue wasn't that people weren't using it. And it's not really old technology. My wife loves it, and we share a 1 gb data plan for our phones. We have no need to spend money on unlimited data when both of us are on WiFi 95% of the time. Using Android Auto isn't an option if we get newer vehicles at some time. GM says AA/AC are better. But the reality is that it's cheaper for them to drop support. Paying developers is crazy expensive.

 

[agaric]

I don't think there are any new vehicles that will allow viewing and replying to texts natively while in gear and moving. My 14 Regal would, the 17 no.
They will read it to you and allow a canned response to be selected but viewing and composing a response needs AA/AC.
IIRC the manufacturers had no choice in removing the full voice capable text function. Android Auto works perfectly in my 17 with a Pixel 4a.